While many recipes call for common dairy products, like melted butter and heavy whipping cream, these days, grocery stores sell many dairy and lactose-free alternatives.

I myself started my dairy-free journey about five or six years ago  and have tried many dairy-free products on the market — some much better than others. My favorite blogger and influencer, Alex Snodgrass from The Defined Dish, introduced me to the Nutpods Original Unsweetened Dairy-Free Coffee Creamer (aka the best dairy-free half and half alternative of all time) a few years ago, and I’ve been hooked ever since. 

Up until I discovered this dairy-free creamer, I was using plain almond milk in my daily English Breakfast tea every morning. And while I enjoyed the taste of the almond milk, I wish I had something that was a bit thicker. And felt more like a half and half than thin milk. Enter: Nutpods.

The Best Dairy-Free Half and Half Alternative

I use the Nutpods Original in many, many recipes, and it’s become a staple in my pantry. Nutpods provides very little fat content, is sugar-free, and is a great alternative for those who are looking for a non-dairy and lactose intolerant-friendly product. Below, I’ve outlined why this pick is the best, why it’s the healthiest non-dairy creamer, why it’s great for frothing, and how I like to use it.

Why it’s the best dairy-free half and half alternative

If you’ve tried to add plain almond milk to your morning cuppa, you probably know how sad the texture and taste can be. The day I discovered Nutpods was the day my breakfast tea ritual really changed. I was using plain almond milk in my English breakfast tea daily. And not only hated the watery texture, but also thought the taste was a bit too almond-y for my liking. 

Although Nutpods Original doesn’t have as strong a flavor as your typical half and half, the consistency is wildly similar to milk and light creamers. This product offers a nice, thicker texture to my rather watery tea. And I know it does the same with coffee as well. 

Another reason why Nutpods is the best dairy-free half and half alternative is that it lasts a long time—similar to how long half and half can last. Nutpods come in a 4-pack and are shelf-stable until you open the carton. Once you open it up, it’ll last between 7-14 days in the refrigerator. You’ll know when it’s time to toss your Nutpods carton when the milk inside curdles or is more thick than normal. 

What makes it the healthiest non-dairy creamer

Nutpods Original is a much healthier alternative than other non-dairy creamers on the market. Unlike the popular nut-based milks found in grocery stores, where additives are commonly found, Nutpods only contains eight ingredients with none of the nasties. Secondly, it is unsweetened and sugar-free. Though it is important to note that this is not the case with all Nutpods products. Some of their non-dairy creamers do contain sweeteners. 

I love that Nutpods Original is only 10 calories per serving and is a plant-based, naturally-flavored creamer made from coconut cream and almonds. It’s also keto-friendly, kosher, certified vegan, non-GMO project certified, gluten-free, paleo-friendly, and has no carrageenan or soy. 

Why it’s the best non-dairy creamer for frothing

Nutpods is a great sugar-free non-dairy creamer that froths really well. Although I don’t, personally, froth milk for my daily cup of tea, my boyfriend froths the Nutpods for his coffee almost every day. “When using milk or anything with dairy, it gets burnt on the bottom [of the frother] and caked-on like crazy,” says my partner, Curtis. “It makes it hard to clean, and if you don’t clean the frother immediately after use, you’re extra screwed. Sometimes I have to use a knife to scrape off the bottom of my frother when using dairy.”

Thankfully, this doesn’t really happen with alternative milks like soy, oat, coconut or cashew, according to Curtis. “The nice thing about alternative milks is that [when you use them in the frother], they don’t get burnt, caked, and nasty like dairy does,” he says. Not only do Nutpods make cleaning much easier, but the froth they give is a nice foam that can be added to any drink of choice.

How I use Nutpods Original

While my partner and I like to use Nutpods for our tea and coffee, I also love using this product in many food recipes I cook that require whole milk or half-and-half. Alex Snodgrass loves to use Nutpods in many of her recipes, like the dairy-free creamy chicken + wild rice soup, the french chicken with creamy mustard-white wine sauce, and one-pot penne alfredo pasta.

Sometimes I’ll use the Nutpods Original for anything that requires full-fat coconut milk, although I don’t get that strong coconut flavor you’d usually get with coconut milk. Also, if I’m super pressed for an alternative milk option for smoothies, I’ll pour some Nutpods into my blender (along with some water) for some added creaminess and texture. Nutpods Original truly is the best dairy-free half and half alternative, and I’m so grateful that Alex introduced me to this brand. I actually haven’t tried any of their other flavors or products, but I’ll be adding the Original Barista Oatmilk to my cart next.

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